Proverbs
Chapter 19

1 Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.

2 Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.

3 The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the LORD.

4 Wealth maketh many friends; but the poor is separated from his neighbour.

5 A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.

6 Many will intreat the favour of the prince: and every man is a friend to him that giveth gifts.

7 All the brethren of the poor do hate him: how much more do his friends go far from him? he pursueth them with words, yet they are wanting to him.

8 He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good.

9 A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish.

10 Delight is not seemly for a fool; much less for a servant to have rule over princes.

11 The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.

12 The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass.

13 A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping.

14 House and riches are the inheritance of fathers: and a prudent wife is from the LORD.

15 Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.

16 He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die.

17 He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.

18 Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.

19 A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again.

20 Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.

21 There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.

22 The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar.

23 The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.

24 A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.

25 Smite a scorner, and the simple will beware: and reprove one that hath understanding, and he will understand knowledge.

26 He that wasteth his father, and chaseth away his mother, is a son that causeth shame, and bringeth reproach.

27 Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.

28 An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity.

29 Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back of fools.

Proverbs
Chapter 18

1 Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.

2 A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.

3 When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.

4 The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.

5 It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.

6 A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.

7 A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.

8 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

9 He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.

10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

11 The rich man's wealth is his strong city, and as an high wall in his own conceit.

12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.

13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.

14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?

15 The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.

16 A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.

17 He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.

18 The lot causeth contentions to cease, and parteth between the mighty.

19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.

20 A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.

21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

22 Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.

23 The poor useth intreaties; but the rich answereth roughly.

24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

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King David was no stranger to sin. From lust to adultery to murder, David carried a lot of guilt. Yet he was still called by God, a man after God’s own heart (1 Sam. 13:14; Acts 13:22).

Believer, are you a man (or woman) after God’s own heart? It is not about our sin, it is about our spirit. In his psalms, David lamented the sin that beset him and praised God for His forgiveness. He wrote, “How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered! How blessed is the man to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit!” (Psalm. 32:1-2)

And truly so! How blessed are we whose transgressions are forgiven, having been covered by the blood of Christ!

And notice, this change, this attitude, is from within: the person “in whose spirit there is no deceit.” This change comes at the hand of God. As He spoke through Ezekiel, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you” (Ezek. 36:26).

This has been done for us as part and parcel of our salvation. Yet we still struggle, we still stumble. Therefore, let us also with David cry out to our Lord, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” (Psalm. 51:10).

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Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Morning, October 31

"Renew a right spirit within me." Psalm 51:10

A backslider, if there be a spark of life left in him will groan after restoration. In this renewal the same exercise of grace is required as at our conversion. We needed repentance then; we certainly need it now. We wanted faith that we might come to Christ at first; only the like grace can bring us to Jesus now. We wanted a word from the Most High, a word from the lip of the loving One, to end our fears then; we shall soon discover, when under a sense of present sin, that we need it now. No man can be renewed without as real and true a manifestation of the Holy Spirit's energy as he felt at first, because the work is as great, and flesh and blood are as much in the way now as ever they were. Let thy personal weakness, O Christian, be an argument to make thee pray earnestly to thy God for help. Remember, David when he felt himself to be powerless, did not fold his arms or close his lips, but he hastened to the mercy-seat with "renew a right spirit within me." Let not the doctrine that you, unaided, can do nothing, make you sleep; but let it be a goad in your side to drive you with an awful earnestness to Israel's strong Helper. O that you may have grace to plead with God, as though you pleaded for your very life- "Lord, renew a right spirit within me." He who sincerely prays to God to do this, will prove his honesty by using the means through which God works. Be much in prayer; live much upon the Word of God; kill the lusts which have driven your Lord from you; be careful to watch over the future uprisings of sin. The Lord has His own appointed ways; sit by the wayside and you will be ready when He passes by. Continue in all those blessed ordinances which will foster and nourish your dying graces; and, knowing that all the power must proceed from Him, cease not to cry, "Renew a right spirit within me."

Proverbs
Chapter 12

1 Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.

2 A good man obtaineth favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn.

3 A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.

4 A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.

5 The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit.

6 The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.

7 The wicked are overthrown, and are not: but the house of the righteous shall stand.

8 A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.

9 He that is despised, and hath a servant, is better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread.

10 A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.

11 He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.

12 The wicked desireth the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit.

13 The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble.

14 A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompence of a man's hands shall be rendered unto him.

15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.

16 A fool's wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame.

17 He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.

18 There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.

19 The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

20 Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy.

21 There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief.

22 Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.

23 A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.

24 The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.

25 Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.

26 The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them.

27 The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious.

28 In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death.

In Song of Solomon, the Shulamite bride longs to hear her beloved’s voice and for her beloved to come, reciting, “O you who sit in the gardens, my companions are listening for your voice— let me hear it! Hurry, my beloved, and be like a gazelle or a young stag on the mountains of spices” (SS 8:13-14).

Do you, O Christian, long to hear Jesus’ voice? Do you call to him as did Solomon’s bride for Solomon? We all should daily be listening for the Lord to speak to us. Cease your striving and know that He is God (Ps. 46:10). We are His sheep, and His sheep know His voice (Jn. 10:4), thus, “today, if you would hear His voice, do not harden your hearts” (Ps. 95:7-8).

Similarly, do you yearn for His return? If not, why not? Are you so attached to this world that you do not see the glory He has planned for us? May it never be! For we know that, if we love this world, the love of the Father is not in us (1 Jn. 2:15). For this world offers only the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life (1 Jn. 2:15). No, we seek a better country, a heavenly one (Heb. 11:16). We are merely pilgrims here. Therefore, we should pray as did John, “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus” (Rev. 22:20).

Let us fix our focus on the heavenly, and earnestly seek His voice and desire His return, living by faith while we yet wander as aliens in a foreign land (Heb. 11:9).

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Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Evening, October 30

"Thou that dwellest in the gardens, the companions hearken to Thy voice: cause me to hear it." Song of Solomon 8:13

My sweet Lord Jesus remembers well the garden of Gethsemane, and although He has left that garden, He now dwells in the garden of His church: there He unbosoms Himself to those who keep His blessed company. That voice of love with which He speaks to His beloved is more musical than the harps of heaven. There is a depth of melodious love within it which leaves all human music far behind. Tens of thousands on earth, and millions above, are indulged with its harmonious accents. Some whom I well know, and whom I greatly envy, are at this moment hearkening to the beloved voice. O that I were a partaker of their joys! It is true some of these are poor, others bedridden, and some near the gates of death, but O my Lord, I would cheerfully starve with them, pine with them, or die with them, if I might but hear Thy voice. Once I did hear it often, but I have grieved Thy Spirit. Return unto me in compassion, and once again say unto me, "I am thy salvation." No other voice can content me; I know Thy voice, and cannot be deceived by another, let me hear it, I pray thee. I know not what Thou wilt say, neither do I make any condition, O my Beloved, do but let me hear Thee speak, and if it be a rebuke I will bless Thee for it. Perhaps to cleanse my dull ear may need an operation very grievous to the flesh, but let it cost what it may I turn not from the one consuming desire, cause me to hear Thy voice. Bore my ear afresh; pierce my ear with Thy harshest notes, only do not permit me to continue deaf to Thy calls. Tonight, Lord, grant Thine unworthy one his desire, for I am Thine, and Thou hast bought me with Thy blood. Thou hast opened mine eye to see Thee, and the sight has saved me. Lord, open Thou mine ear. I have read Thy heart, now let me hear Thy lips.

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Brethren, praise is not simply something we are called to do, it is an attitude we should have ever and always. God tells us more than once that “every knee shall bow to [Him], and every tongue shall give praise to God” (Rom. 14:11).

Do you only praise Him when you feel blessed? When you have received something for which you prayed? Why?

This should not be. Instead, like Job we should say, “The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD” (Job. 1:21). When Job said this, he had just been informed that all his donkeys, oxen, and camels had been stolen, his sheep burned by fire from heaven, his servants attending all of them slain, and lastly, all his children were killed by a house falling on them. Would you, in such a situation, offer up praise to God?

Praise isn’t just a matter of thanking God for accommodating our desires. We are, through Christ, to “continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God” (Heb. 13:15). We are to give thanks in everything, all circumstances, for this is God’s will for us in Christ Jesus (1 Thes. 5:18). Praise is an attitude of the heart.

Whether we have much in worldly wealth or little, whether we are enjoying times of ease or enduring suffering, we are to give praise to God. This is why James tells us to count it all joy when we encounter trials of various kinds (Jas. 1:2-4). This is why Paul, jailed and in chains, sang hymns of praise to God rather than griping and complaining (Acts 16:25).

Regardless our circumstance, we have reason to be eternally grateful to God; for He has given us life through Christ Jesus His Son. Therefore, let us say always with the psalmist, “I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart; I will tell of all Your wonders. I will be glad and exult in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High” (Ps. 9:1-2).

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Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Morning, October 30

"I will praise Thee, O Lord." Psalm 9:1

Praise should always follow answered prayer; as the mist of earth's gratitude rises when the sun of heaven's love warms the ground. Hath the Lord been gracious to thee, and inclined His ear to the voice of thy supplication? Then praise Him as long as thou livest. Let the ripe fruit drop upon the fertile soil from which it drew its life. Deny not a song to Him who hath answered thy prayer and given thee the desire of thy heart. To be silent over God's mercies is to incur the guilt of ingratitude; it is to act as basely as the nine lepers, who after they had been cured of their leprosy, returned not to give thanks unto the healing Lord. To forget to praise God is to refuse to benefit ourselves; for praise, like prayer, is one great means of promoting the growth of the spiritual life. It helps to remove our burdens, to excite our hope, to increase our faith. It is a healthful and invigorating exercise which quickens the pulse of the believer, and nerves him for fresh enterprises in his Master's service. To bless God for mercies received is also the way to benefit our fellow-men; "the humble shall hear thereof and be glad." Others who have been in like circumstances shall take comfort if we can say, "Oh! magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together; this poor man cried, and the Lord heard him." Weak hearts will be strengthened, and drooping saints will be revived as they listen to our "songs of deliverance." Their doubts and fears will be rebuked, as we teach and admonish one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. They too shall "sing in the ways of the Lord," when they hear us magnify His holy name. Praise is the most heavenly of Christian duties. The angels pray not, but they cease not to praise both day and night; and the redeemed, clothed in white robes, with palm-branches in their hands, are never weary of singing the new song, "Worthy is the Lamb."

Proverbs
Chapter 11

1 A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight.

2 When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom.

3 The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.

4 Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.

5 The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.

6 The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness.

7 When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth.

8 The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.

9 An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.

10 When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting.

11 By the blessing of the upright the city is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.

12 He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.

13 A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.

14 Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.

15 He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretiship is sure.

16 A gracious woman retaineth honour: and strong men retain riches.

17 The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh.

18 The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.

19 As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death.

20 They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the LORD: but such as are upright in their way are his delight.

21 Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.

22 As a jewel of gold in a swine's snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion.

23 The desire of the righteous is only good: but the expectation of the wicked is wrath.

24 There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.

25 The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.

26 He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it.

27 He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him.

28 He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.

29 He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: and the fool shall be servant to the wise of heart.

30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.

31 Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, there is no room for pride in our lives. For what have we that we did not receive (1 Cor. 4:7)? What have we contributed to our salvation other than the sin that made it necessary?

Believer, God called you and chose you out of the world (Jn. 15:19). This is the essence of the Greek word translated “church” in the Scriptures. This word, ἐκκλησία (ekklesia), is a combination of two words: ἐκ (ek), meaning “out” or “out of”, and καλέω (kaleo), meaning “to call.” We are those who have been called out of the world.

As such, we shall be hated by the world, because we are no longer of the world (Jn. 15:19). Why are we no longer of the world? Because he chose us out of the world (Jn. 15:19). This was not our doing - it was His.

As we’re told in Titus 3:5, it was not on the basis of any deeds which we have done in righteousness that He saved us, but because of His mercy. Ephesians 2:8-9 confirms this, telling us that our salvation is not a result of our works, which is why we have no room to boast. Paul reaffirms this in Rom. 3:27 where he tells us that boasting is excluded by the law of faith.

Brethren, let us always be humble and sober-minded regarding ourselves, and consider others more important (Phil. 2:3-4). This is the attitude of Christ (Phil. 2:5), the one who called us and chose us, and so it should be our attitude as well.

The world may hate us because we were chosen out of it, but the God who chose us loves us. Therefore, let us live in, by, and exemplifying that love as we live in this world from which we’ve been redeemed.

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Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Morning, October 28

"I have chosen you out of the world." John 15:19

Here is distinguishing grace and discriminating regard; for some are made the special objects of divine affection. Do not be afraid to dwell upon this high doctrine of election. When your mind is most heavy and depressed, you will find it to be a bottle of richest cordial. Those who doubt the doctrines of grace, or who cast them into the shade, miss the richest clusters of Eshcol; they lose the wines on the lees well refined, the fat things full of marrow. There is no balm in Gilead comparable to it. If the honey in Jonathan's wood when but touched enlightened the eyes, this is honey which will enlighten your heart to love and learn the mysteries of the kingdom of God. Eat, and fear not a surfeit; live upon this choice dainty, and fear not that it will be too delicate a diet. Meat from the King's table will hurt none of His courtiers. Desire to have your mind enlarged, that you may comprehend more and more the eternal, everlasting, discriminating love of God. When you have mounted as high as election, tarry on its sister mount, the covenant of grace. Covenant engagements are the munitions of stupendous rock behind which we lie entrenched; covenant engagements with the surety, Christ Jesus, are the quiet resting-places of trembling spirits.

"His oath, His covenant, His blood,
Support me in the raging flood;
When every earthly prop gives way,
This still is all my strength and stay."

If Jesus undertook to bring me to glory, and if the Father promised that He would give me to the Son to be a part of the infinite reward of the travail of His soul; then, my soul, till God Himself shall be unfaithful, till Jesus shall cease to be the truth, thou art safe. When David danced before the ark, he told Michal that election made him do so. Come, my soul, exult before the God of grace and leap for joy of heart.

Christian, People come asks people go, but they cycles of the earth are unstoppable. The rivers run to the sea, yet the sea is never filled and the waters refresh the rivers so they never stop flowing (Ecc. 1:7).

This is Solomon’s lament, that is nothing new under the sun (1:9). But there is!

If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17)! And like the rivers that continually flow to the sea, so the Holy Spirit continually fills us and guides us in walking with God. His presence is never ending, and even when filled, we can never have too much of His Spirit. As Jesus exclaimed, the Spirit in us will be like “a well of water springing up to eternal life” (Jn. 4:14).

“Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time” (Eph. 5:16).

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Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Evening, October 26

"All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again." Ecclesiastes 1:7

Everything sublunary is on the move, time knows nothing of rest. The solid earth is a rolling ball, and the great sun himself a star obediently fulfilling its course around some greater luminary. Tides move the sea, winds stir the airy ocean, friction wears the rock: change and death rule everywhere. The sea is not a miser's storehouse for a wealth of waters, for as by one force the waters flow into it, by another they are lifted from it. Men are born but to die: everything is hurry, worry, and vexation of spirit. Friend of the unchanging Jesus, what a joy it is to reflect upon thy changeless heritage; thy sea of bliss which will be for ever full, since God Himself shall pour eternal rivers of pleasure into it. We seek an abiding city beyond the skies, and we shall not be disappointed. The passage before us may well teach us gratitude. Father Ocean is a great receiver, but he is a generous distributor. What the rivers bring him he returns to the earth in the form of clouds and rain. That man is out of joint with the universe who takes all but makes no return. To give to others is but sowing seed for ourselves. He who is so good a steward as to be willing to use his substance for his Lord, shall be entrusted with more. Friend of Jesus, art thou rendering to Him according to the benefit received? Much has been given thee, what is thy fruit? Hast thou done all? Canst thou not do more? To be selfish is to be wicked. Suppose the ocean gave up none of its watery treasure, it would bring ruin upon our race. God forbid that any of us should follow the ungenerous and destructive policy of living unto ourselves. Jesus pleased not Himself. All fulness dwells in Him, but of His fulness have all we received. O for Jesu's spirit, that henceforth we may live not unto ourselves!

Beloved brethren, do you drink deeply from the Lord? Scripture informs us that “the trees of the LORD drink their fill” (Ps. 104:16). If the trees themselves so deeply drink, how much more those chosen of the Lord to receive His Spirit?

Without water, the tree withers and dies. Without drinking from our Lord, our spirits languish.

Our Lord provides living water (Jn. 4:10). Jesus taught that those who drink the water He offers would never thirst, but that it would become within him a wellspring of life (Jn. 4:14).

Believer, are you parched? Why so? Access to the Source Is freely available to you. Take time today to pray, meditate on His word, and drink deeply that your spirit would be sated by the spring of the water of life (Rev. 21:6).

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Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Morning, October 24

"The trees of the Lord are full of sap." Psalm 104:16

Without sap the tree cannot flourish or even exist. Vitality is essential to a Christian. There must be life- a vital principle infused into us by God the Holy Ghost, or we cannot be trees of the Lord. The mere name of being a Christian is but a dead thing, we must be filled with the spirit of divine life. This life is mysterious. We do not understand the circulation of the sap, by what force it rises, and by what power it descends again. So the life within us is a sacred mystery. Regeneration is wrought by the Holy Ghost entering into man and becoming man's life; and this divine life in a believer afterwards feeds upon the flesh and blood of Christ and is thus sustained by divine food, but whence it cometh and whither it goeth who shall explain to us? What a secret thing the sap is! The roots go searching through the soil with their little spongioles, but we cannot see them suck out the various gases, or transmute the mineral into the vegetable; this work is done down in the dark. Our root is Christ Jesus, and our life is hid in Him; this is the secret of the Lord. The radix of the Christian life is as secret as the life itself. How permanently active is the sap in the cedar! In the Christian the divine life is always full of energy- not always in fruit-bearing, but in inward operations. The believer's graces, are not every one of them in constant motion? but his life never ceases to palpitate within. He is not always working for God, but his heart is always living upon Him. As the sap manifests itself in producing the foliage and fruit of the tree, so with a truly healthy Christian, his grace is externally manifested in his walk and conversation. If you talk with him, he cannot help speaking about Jesus. If you notice his actions you will see that he has been with Jesus. He has so much sap within, that it must fill his conduct and conversation with life.

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ISrael says HAMAS breaks Ceasefire: https://www.theepochtimes.com/world/israel-launches-attack-on-gaza-after-it-says-hamas-violated-cease-fire-5931757?utm_source=RTNews&src_src=RTNews&utm_campaign=rtbreaking-2025-10-19-1&src_cmp=rtbreaking-2025-10-19-1&utm_medium=email&est=wDvQU

US Warns #Hamas Planning Ceasefire-Violating Attack on #Palestinian Civilians - #gaza #palestine - "Direct & Grave Violation" - Ceasefire On Thin Ice As Hamas Kills Gazan Civilians, #Israel Retaliates To 'Yellow Line' Threat https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/where-are-protesters-us-warns-hamas-planning-ceasefire-violating-attack-palestinian

Ceasefire Agreement? #Israel Kills Dozens In #Gaza - Israeli forces have killed dozens of people in Gaza despite having a ceasefire agreement. At least 23 #Palestinians have been killed since the peace deal was signed. https://www.shtfplan.com/headline-news/ceasefire-agreement-israel-kills-dozens-in-gaza

I'll say it again, why are we negotiating with terrorists?
https://www.foxnews.com/world/israel-says-hamas-violated-ceasefire-multiple-attacks-leading-idf-response

#Hamas and #Islamic Jihad Defy #DonaldTrump’s Ceasefire, ‘Negotiating with Himself’; No Disarmament Commitment https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2025/10/17/hamas-islamic-jihad-defy-trumps-ceasefire-no-disarmament-commitment/

David was chosen by God. Chosen to be king. Yet prior to being crowned, he was persecuted. And by whom? By the king.

What a beautiful picture of our faith this paints. We too, while we abide here in these tents made of flesh, will be hated by the world (Jn. 15:18-19). We will even be despised and persecuted by authorities, as were the apostles, simply for believing in and preaching Jesus (Acts 5:12-18).

As did David, we sometimes weary of the battle as we await our crown. We may even feel like failures. David believed he was going to die by Saul’s hand, despite knowing God’s promise to make him king. How could he die if God had not yet fulfilled this promise? David was doubting. And like David, when times grow tough and we begin to lose heart, we too may doubt.

Thus, Paul encourages us to “be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord,” knowing that doing the work to which God called us is never in vain (1 Cor. 15:58). We are also exhorted in Hebrews to remember that Jesus Himself suffered hostility from unbelievers, and to consider this so that we will not grow weary and lose heart (Heb. 12:3).

Let us stand firm then in our faith, knowing that the One in whom we have faith is faithful. He will never leave us nor forsake us (Heb. 13:5). He is not a man that He should lie, nor a son of man that He should change His mind (Num. 23:19). His lovingkindness never ceases, nor does His compassion ever fail; no, His faithfulness is great (Lam. 3:22-23).

Be strong, my brethren, because we have a God who, if we will but humble ourselves before Him, cares for us and is pleased to carry our anxiety (1 Pet. 5:6-7). He is our rock and our fortress (Ps. 18:2). And He will give us strength in our time of need (Isa. 41:10).

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Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening Devotions

Morning, October 17

"And David said in his heart, I shall now perish one day by the hand of Saul." 1 Samuel 27:1

The thought of David's heart at this time was a false thought, because he certainly had no ground for thinking that God's anointing him by Samuel was intended to be left as an empty unmeaning act. On no one occasion had the Lord deserted His servant; he had been placed in perilous positions very often, but not one instance had occurred in which divine interposition had not delivered him. The trials to which he had been exposed had been varied; they had not assumed one form only, but many- yet in every case He who sent the trial had also graciously ordained a way of escape. David could not put his finger upon any entry in his diary, and say of it, "Here is evidence that the Lord will forsake me," for the entire tenor of his past life proved the very reverse. He should have argued from what God had done for him, that God would be his defender still. But is it not just in the same way that we doubt God's help? Is it not mistrust without a cause? Have we ever had the shadow of a reason to doubt our Father's goodness? Have not His lovingkindnesses been marvellous? Has He once failed to justify our trust? Ah, no! our God has not left us at any time. We have had dark nights, but the star of love has shone forth amid the blackness; we have been in stern conflicts, but over our head He has held aloft the shield of our defence. We have gone through many trials, but never to our detriment, always to our advantage; and the conclusion from our past experience is, that He who has been with us in six troubles, will not forsake us in the seventh. What we have known of our faithful God, proves that He will keep us to the end. Let us not, then, reason contrary to evidence. How can we ever be so ungenerous as to doubt our God? Lord, throw down the Jezebel of our unbelief, and let the dogs devour it.

Starting at 19 minutes......I am having problems with this.....though that is what everything surrounds..... as Esther.....I need to remember that GOD'S ways are not our ways... People can change and many do....With HIS help.


Now Playing on Analysis
The Esther Prophecy & Erika Kirk

https://www.houseofdestiny.org/analysis/?video=93972572A8084CEa2685Abc72F4b